Cops Put Out Fire, Save Crash Victim: Video

ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta Police officers were caught on a dramatic video putting out a fire and saving a man who was knocked unconscious Sunday morning in a crash in Buckhead near Ga. 400. (Watch the video below.)

Police were called at about 4 a.m. to a single-car crash at Lenox Road and the northbound ramp to Ga. 400 on Sunday. Dispatchers told them that someone was trapped in the car, which was on fire.

They arrived to find that the car had hit a metal utility pole and that the engine area was engulfed in flames. Bystanders had helped several people get out, but a man in the front passenger seat appeared to be unconscious, according to police.

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Body-cam video shows APD officers Brittany Williams and Charles Tierney using fire extinguishers to keep the fire out of the car's passenger area. Officer Christopher Davis can be seen pouring water on the flames.

Officers are then able to pry open the driver's side door and pull the unconscious man to safety.

According to police spokesman Sgt. John Chafee, the man did not get burned by the fire and Atlanta Fire Rescue arrived to finish putting it out. Three people were taken from the crash to Grady Memorial Hospital in stable condition.

"We are extremely proud of the actions of these officers," Chafee said. "They acted quickly and with determination and ultimately were able to remove the passenger before he sustained further injury.

"We are also thankful for the actions of the citizens who stopped and assisted immediately after the accident. This accident could have been much worse than it was where it not for the actions of the citizens and officers who put aside concern for their own safety and acted to help those in need."

Investigators were working to learn what caused the crash.

(NOTE: Action begins around the 1:50 mark on the video. Contains some language.)

Photo courtesy Atlanta Police Department